What’s the scoop?

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Music Intelligence Solutions, Inc. (uPlaya) took home the gold in the Small Business category for their interactive online services - including creative development, branding, social networking and discovery tools - for established and budding musicians and songwriters, producers, music supervisors, mobile distributors and anyone who has an affinity for music. One of only a host of resources for musicians, producers, songwriters and consumers, uPlaya.com uses proprietary and patent-protected technology to produce immediate, scientific market analysis and popularity ranking prediction of music worldwide.

“The songs that score the best include a certain amount of unpredictability in the music,” CEO David Meredith told Discovery News in the article. “Norah Jones is a great example of an artist who pulled from jazz and pop to create a sound that was different from other artists at the time, but the underlying patterns of her music was strong and the music scored very well.”

The article, Algorithm Judges Musical Hit Potential, was written by Robert Lamb of HowStuffWorks.com, the award-winning source of credible, unbiased, and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works. Founded by North Carolina State University Professor Marshall Brain in 1998, the site is now an online resource for millions of people of all ages. Lamb delves into the groundbreaking work coming out of Music Intelligence Solutions, products that are redefining the music industry. Numbered are the days when Radio DJs and record execs will tell fans what is good music. Technology is assuming that role and, in many ways, leveling the playing field in the music industry.

Kudos to Music Intelligence Solutions (uPlaya) for their kick butt innovative product, their shiney new Innovation Award and their shout-out on The Discovery Channel website!

We are still recovering and are thankful to everyone who came out to help us honor innovation in Savannah.  It was our second year, and wow - it was just as big (but not quite as wet) as last year, and still drew close to 500 of Savannah’s finest (YOU!).

(Having trouble viewing the slideshow? Check it out over at flickr.)

The Winners

For those of you who missed the big night (or the great follow-up coverage in the Savannah Morning News, Connect Savannah and Savannah Business Journal), we present the winners of the 2009 Innovation Awards!

In the Small Business category, Music Intelligence Solutions, Inc. (uPlaya) took home the gold for their interactive online services - including creative development, branding, social networking and discovery tools - for established and budding musicians and songwriters, producers, music supervisors, mobile distributors and anyone who has an affinity for music.
One of only a host of resources for musicians, producers, songwriters and consumers, uPlaya.com uses proprietary and patent-protected technology to produce immediate, scientific market analysis and popularity ranking prediction of music worldwide.

Hometown heroes Chatham Steel Corporation won the award for Big Buisness thanks to their innovative “Steel Fit” Wellness Program, designed to help improve employee health, thereby positively impacting company health care costs. Ten years after its inception, the Wellness Program has resulted in a total annual average health care cost per active employee that is 33 percent below the industry average, prescription drug expenses below the industry norm, 31 people covered under the health care plan quit smoking due to the affordability of tobacco cessation products, and a PPO utilization discount of $1.4 million.

In the highly competitive Community, Education and Government category, the Savannah Music Festival’s off-season communications initiative won the heart of the judges. The initiative has resulted in new media programs - such as online streaming of Savannah Music Festival (SMF) concerts - and the new use of technology for internal data management, which have more efficiently cultivated patron relationships, and streamlined production processes, allowing it to generate a 20 percent revenue growth in a down economy.

Newcomer Structured Green, LLC scored a big win at the Innovation Awards. The local leader in eco-friendly product design and manufacturing places heavy emphasis on community involvement, awareness and education. Their high-quality, green furnishings and installations infuse the distinct sustainable character of Savannah resources in manufactured signature pieces and trademark builds across the region’s commercial and residential markets. They’ve worked with local businesses, such as the Savannah Bee Company, Melaver Inc., SEED Eco-Lounge and SCAD, to develop state-of-the-art furnishings through “closed loop” processes to continue challenging conventional building methods and materials.

Last but certainly not least, Stephen J. Stephens, Jr. of Stage Front Presentation Systems took home the prestigious honor of the Howard J. Morrison Leadership Award. Past HJM Award winners collectively decide who the next winner will be. The award honors an individual who exhibits outstanding commitment in Coastal Community leadership within the advancement of creativity, innovation or technology through his/her partnership building and collaboration-oriented contributions. Such contributions may be business, civic and/or educational in nature.

Finally, we have so many to thank for helping us make last Thursday possible.

Our Sponsors

Truly, we could not do this without you!  In fact, it is your support that allowed us to lower the ticket price again this year.  

First and foremost, Lott+Barber our title sponsor. You guys are our “early adopters.”  You joined us late in the game last year and you’re still with us today. Thank you for leading the way and setting the standard.

For the first time ever, this year we offered Award sponsorships, actual sponsorships for each award given. Several companies stepped up right away.

For Small Business, the Small Business Assistance Corporation.

For Big Business, Georgia Power.

For Community, Education & Government, AT&T.

For Sustainability, Paragon Design Group.

Thank you for supporting our organization and business community in such a meaningful way.

We must also recognize and thank our GREEN sponsors. Their contribution represents their great commitments to the future of this city.  They are:

• Banker Optical Media
• Catamount Constructors
• Connect Savannah
• Cordasco, Sundem & Powell, P.C.
• Energy Launch Partners
• Georgia Ports Authority
• Georgia Tech Savannah
• Gulfstream Aerospace
• Herty Advanced Materials Development Center
• Hunter Maclean
• Jim Goodlett & Jimi Meuse
• Memorial University Medical Center
• Savannah Economic Development Authority
• Seed Eco Lounge
• Stage Front Presentation Systems
• Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
• Smack Dab Studios
• Southern LNG
• South Magazine
• The Southern Environmental Law Center.

Finally, thanks to the people who helped secure this impressive list of sponsors — Lynn Pitts, Mike Polak, Howard Morrison, Steve Stephens and Rick Winger.  We are forever in your dept for  coming through once again in a less-than-favorable economy.

Our Judges

One of the most important things to know about the Innovation Awards (and one of the things we inherited from the CBETA Technology Awards that preceded it) is an independent panel of judges.

Like last year, we have a star-studded cast of expert judges that toiled over almost 100 applications in 4 categories.

• State Representative Ron Stephens
• Craig lesser, former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, now Managing Partner of  Pendleton Consulting Group
• Retired CFO/business consultant/angel investor Gordon Matthews
• UGA Small Business Development Center Area Director Lynn Vos
• WTOC General Manager Bill Cathcart
• SCAD Professor of Graphic Design and Sustainable Design Scott Boylston
• Executive Director of the US Green Building Council (GA Chapter) Leesa Carter
• And a 2008 winner, Union Mission President/CEO Michael Elliott

Our In-Kind & Volunteer Supporters

This event is a fund-raiser and any money raised is invested by the TCCa advisory board in ways it deems most important to the fulfillment of the TCCa mission. Money raised at last year’s event supported the Savannah Science Seminar, the Savannah-Ogeechee Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Savannah’s Engineering Academy and local middle and high school robotics competitions.

With that perspective, it is no surprise then that volunteer efforts, discounts and donations are vital to any success achieved.  So, there are some other very special people who deserve our thanks. 
 
Ariel Janzen and Brightwhitespace
Thank you for stepping up to do the program again this year.  Thanks also to Fillup Carter and Spanish Moss printing for giving us a deal on the printing!

Jim Carswell and Spy Hop Productions
Jim, thank you so much for stepping in at the last minute to take on the role of MC. We know Rick Winger (president of SEDA), who has done it (for what? five years or something?) is particularly grateful. 

Diana Morrison, Chairwoman of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and President of Advertising Specialty Services
Diana, you ROCK. Your help with the awards trophies was fantastic. Thanks for getting down and dirty with us to hunt for used car scraps at Newell Recycling. (And don’t think it didn’t cross my mind that I was dumpster diving with the Chairwoman of the Savannah Chamber, because it did. I’m just sad I don’t have pictures.)

Howard Paul and Benedetto Guitars
For those of you that don’t know, Howard is the CEO of Benedetto Guitars and was the guy next to Ben Tucker who was playing the verrrry pricey guitar.  Howard, thanks for continuing to lend your exceptional talents to the Innovation Awards.

Jerry Lancaster & Port City Metals
Jerry, what can I say?!  Thank you for taking off your Saturday to bend, weld, sculpt and polish recycled car intestines into these amazing awards.  (For those of you who know Maria Lancaster at the Savannah Music Festival, Jerry is her husband.)  Maria, we can only assume that you’re house is rarely in need of repairs.

Len Cripe & Trustees Theater
Len, thanks for your support of the event and your generous donation of the 2 free GOLD Film Festival passes for tonight’s raffle. You and your staff were WONDERFUL and we are very grateful for all your cooperation and assistance.

Carson Company, SCAD and Safeway Scafolding
The Saturday before the event we realized that the Jen Library (on which we had planned to project video during the cocktail reception) was blanketed in scaffolding. From head to toe.  With great support and teamwork from all involved — The Carson Company, The Savannah College of Art and Design facilities director, Stage Front Presentation Systems and the scaffolding company itself (Safeway, out of Jacksonville) — we were able to make the scaffolding work for us, and not against us.  Thank you!!

Stratton and Mary Leopold, Darryl Siddel and Leopold’s Ice Cream
Darryl, thanks for the crash course in ice cream making and our special take on mint chocolate chip — “Mintovation??”.  New knew ice-cream math was so dang hard??

Mike Ayres of Structured Green and Ruel Joyner of 24e
Thanks to you both for coming through in the clutch once again.  The conversation areas outside look like only you could make them look. 

Bobby Newell & Newell Recycling
Bobby, thank you for allowing us to use your recycled car scraps for our fantastic awards trophies tonight.  They are truly one-of-a-kind because of it.

Paragon Design Group
Susan, Drew and Phil - we’ll still be thanking you when we’re all dead and gone.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard word and generous time and effort for this year’s awards animation and graphics.  

Kendell Wayner and Ranco Tents
Thank you for working with us to make sure we had ample “weather insurance.”  I know we all slept a little better this year knowing that even if it did rain again this year, our guests wouldn’t go home too soggy.

Steve Stephens, Paul Mazo and Jon Carter of Stage Front Presentation Systems
You guys always make  eveything look good, even scaffolding. Thank you for your generous support and making this look like a “real live awards ceremony.”

Yvonne, Tommy and Shannon James
Yvonne, your wrangling of Lynn, Rick, Mike and Howard was epic. Tommy, thanks as always for contributing even more whacky ideas to the mix than we do.  And Shannon, you are the best judge herder there is.  Thank you for helping us make sure our expert judges felt comfortable and get their scores in on time.  We’re also very grateful to Shannon James LLC for the sponsoring of the judges attendance this evening. Every little bit helps…

The City of Savannah
Once again the City is a stand-out.  Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill, Revenue Director Buddy Clay, Sean Brandon. You have no idea what it takes to close a street or serve alcohol outside until you have tried to do it.  These guys helped us every step of the way.  As they always do!

Tammy Ray & The Detail Department
This year we decided to hire an event coordinator to help with logistics, and it was the best decision we’ve ever made.  Thank you for catching every ball I even thought about dropping and adding considerably to a general sense that “everything will be ok.” 

Last but not least, the TCCa Staff (and semi-staff!) and SEDA Staff
The whole TCCa staff came out in full force once again this year, helping to make 2009 run a bit smoother than 2008.  Thanks to Brynn, Leigh, Jamie (and Summer!) for helping us make this year the best one yet.  Katie, Amanda, Ann and the whole SEDA crew also came through in the clutch as always.  THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Well, I think “That’s all folks.”  See everyone next year!!

This isn’t just another awards banquet.

For the second year in a row, there will be a star-studded cast of awards finalists and judges in attendance and we’ll play host to 500 of you guys — the most noteworthy creatives, geeks, power players, hobnobbers, movers and shakers in town. (Skip the seduction and get your tickets now…)

For all those who are undecided, we present:

The Top Ten (Reasons To Go to the 2009 Innovation Awards)

# 10: It’s a Street Party, Y’all!
This party is so big, it’s taking over Broughton Street, blocking off the street between Lincoln and Abercorn. Imagine yourself dressed to the nines, cocktail in hand, chatting up the most eclectic group of Savannahians with a back-lit Jen Library behind you and world-famous Trustees’ Theater to your front.

#9: Organically Open Bar
Ever had organic vodka? Neither have we. But we will, come Thursday, as the full open bar will feature the libatory mixology of SEED Eco-Lounge, Savannah’s only eco-friendly bar and lounge.

#8: Locally Grown Yummies (And Ice Cream!)
Catered by local favorite Cha Bella, Earth to Table (Cha Bella’s catering arm) will be serving up a delicious selection of organic and locally grown food, and will compost any leftover food scraps. What’s more, Hollywood film producer and Savannah dessertier Stratton Leopold is concocting a custom TCCa ice cream flavor for your dessert pleasure, which is just the figurative cherry on top!

#7: Recycled Car, Anyone?
Ever wonder where your old beater goes after its final resting place? Local metals recycling company Newell Recycling smushes, scraps and shreads cars down to bite-size chunks of scrap steel, aluminum and a slew of spare parts. What better way to say “you’re innovative” than by crafting this year’s awards trophies from - you guessed it - recycled cars! Handmade by Jerry Lancaster (you may know his wife, Maria Lancaster of Savannah Music Festival fame) of Port City Metals, this year’s awards will be made of a mix of shredded auto and scrap granite from Bella Terra Granite.

#6: C-Level Exec-usic
President and CEO of internationally-acclaimed Benedetto Guitar, Howard Paul will be strumming some of the best seven-string jazz guitar arrangements in the world on an original Benedetto, bringing his interpretations of good jazz and innovative guitar-making to the crowd assembled onBroughton Street.

#5: Because it’s all about the Finalists
Nothing compares to you, dear Innovation Awards Finalists! This year we’ll be hailing the creativity, technological kung-fu, prudent problem-solving and out-of-the-box brilliance of our 12 Innovation Awards finalists. Demonstrating bold innovation in business, non-profit, education, government and sustainability, these finalists are busy making Savannah a bigger and better place to live, work and play.

#4: What’s all this “Creative Coast” stuff, anyway?
While we’ve been busy little bees over across the river, we recognize that not everyone knows exactly who we are, what we do and why we do it. That’s why this year, we’ll be handing out our Annual Report. Resembling more of anaccordion (yes, an accordion ) than a bounded book, our 12 Month Report will hopefully let you in on all our little secrets. What we’ve been up to, what we’ve accomplished and who we’ve touched.

#3: Two Geeks for the Price of One (Did someone say “Stimulus”?)
Ok, so it’s not quite $700 Billion, but it’s the best we could pull together. We’re going to extend the 17% “early bird” discount to the first 25 of you who buy tickets and enter the discount code, “innov8r” (all lowercase, no quotes ). (Hey, it’s $10 and every little bit counts!) And, with each purchase of a 2009 Innovation Awards ticket, you’ll also receive a special discount code that will get you a 58% discount (that’s $55!) for the newest conference in the Southeast, Savannah’s own Geekend 2009. You’ll be surrounded by creative geekiness - the brightest designers, developers, techies and social media mavericks ever to descend upon Savannah - for a weekend filled with cutting edge speakers (we’re not kidding here, the list is impressive) and panels, afterparties and networking.

#2: Raise your hand if you want 2 FREE GOLD Film Festival Passes!
That’s right, one fortuitous event goer will receive TWO GOLD PASSES TO THE SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL. These are the super-duper-get-you-into-anything passes. Gold passes are valued at $500 each and allows patron admittance to all film screenings, workshops, lectures and of course, the exclusive start-studded parties. Let’s face it, it could be your turn to win something. But you can’t take home these two GOLD passes unless you show up. So go forth and purchase your tickets!

And now, for the #1 Reason to to the 2009 Innovation Awards…

It’s all about Community, right!?!

The proceeds to the Innovation Awards are reinvested right back into the community! Our group of Advisory Board members will determine which projects match our organization’s mission and vision. For example, last year’s proceeds supported the Savannah Science Seminar, the Savannah-Ogeechee Regional Science and Engineering Fair, Savannah’s Engineering Academy and middle and high school robotics competitions. We think that’s pretty cool!

We hope to see you there.

Get your tickets now »

What would we do without you? Your support of the 2008 and 2009 Innovation Awards has been key to our success. You’ve helped make the best annual awards event (ok, we’re biased) even better. You’ve helped us to expand our reach, excite our innovators, mobilize creative energy and entertain event goers.

But you’re bigger than that. You’ve been the perfect sponsor for our Innovation Awards because your company is the epitome of innovation. You’ve dedicated your work and workforce to four progressive pillars: architecture, community planning, visual communication and Integrated Project Delivery. In each of these, you’ve exemplified technological advancement and taken an out-of-the-box approach to contemporary design in the historic context, through high-tech, integrated and creative design.

In layman’s terms, You da bomb. But to put it more eloquently, you’re redefining architecture, design and planning in Savannah. You’re cutting edge and your support of TCCa and the Innovation Awards is just fanning the flame.

If you don’t mind we’d like to share some of your recent accolades with the good people who follow our blog. Now, don’t be modest. We just want to mention a few things…

Since last year, you have been busy! You’ve completed the new academic building at Savannah State University and have just been selected to design their new student center. (Must have liked what they saw, eh?)  You’ve completed other major projects for the International Longshoremen’s Association Pension & Welfare Board and Valdosta State University Health Center. The first phase of Sustainable Fellwood was completed to acclaim, garnering more than a few awards. Your own Denise Grabowski was just selected one of Georgia Trend’s “40 under 40.” (Way to go Denise!!)  And your principal, your guiding light, Forrest Lott was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. (Way to go Forrest!!) Lastly, but certainly not least, you have spent this past year working to maintain and enhance strong community involvement with most of the team working with various groups including Historic Savannah Foundation, Savannah Tech Foundation Advisory Groups, and others.

Congratulations on your successes this year. And thank you, from the bottom of our creative hearts, for loving us enough to support our main event. We know you’re as excited as anyone to be there on the big night and crown Savannah’s next innovators.

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Your Pals,

- The Creative Coast Alliance (TCCa)

As most of you hopefully know by now, Geekend is the annual gathering of the “geek tribe” (that’s us!) that will take place here in the Hostess City. It’s what you might call an interactive conference with some truly awesome parties, the kind of event that you’ll be texting, tweeting and Facebooking from. You’ll be surrounded by creative geekiness - the brightest designers, developers, techies and social media mavericks ever to descend upon Savannah - for a weekend filled with cutting edge speakers (we’re not kidding here, the list is impressive) and panels, afterparties and networking.

Interested? We should hope so. Ready to buy your weekend pass? Then you should also consider attending this year’s Innovation Awards, sponsored by Lott + Barber. TCCa will be taking over Broughton Street and invading the Trustees Theater on October 22nd to honor both established local leaders and up-and-coming key players who have demonstrated bold innovation in business, non-profit, education, government and sustainability.  (Check out the finalist line-up for this year.)

Seriously son, this is where it’s at. This year’s tickets are a mere $60 and get you in on all the creative red (green, rather) carpet action. PLUS, with your ticket purchase, you get a fantastical discount to Geekend (no better way to spend $55), making your practical side (and your wallet) very happy.

Do we sound like the late, great Billy Mays yet?  Need I say more?

But wait, there IS more! Spots are now open for interested vendors at Geekend! This is a great opportunity to showcase whatever it is that you do to cool, creative, geekishly delicious people from all over the country. But don’t take too long to ponder your participation. Space is limited to the first 30 vendors that sign up. For more information or to secure you spot email: info@geekend2009.com or call: (912) 335-7098.

For your consideration, tables and chairs will be provided to vendors. No sales are allowed - only information sharing. Educational or non-profit entities may be eligible for a discount on the already reasonable vendor fees (a mere $135 to exhibit to the geekish masses). And how about a little lipservice? All vendors will be listed in Geekend promotion material and open to adding their own goodies to the Geekend schwag bag, distributed to every single last geeky conference-goer.

Get your weekend started early with a little bargain shopping. Buy your ticket to the Innovation Awards (only 15 days left!) and get 58% off the price of the Geekend Conference pass.

On Thursday, October 8th from 7:00 - 10:00 pm, the second annual RiversRock! presents “Blackwater•Bluegrass,” a fundraiser benefiting jointly the Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper and the Satilla Riverkeeper, two groups dedicated to the protection of our precious coastal river resources and ecosystems.

Sponsored by Better Environments & Southern Eagle Distributors, Queensborough National Bank & Trust, the Young Professionals of Savannah, Jeanne LaSala & Jim Abbot, Storm Water Systems, the City of Savannah, Bernard Williams & Co. and Fred Williams Homebuilder, Inc., this year’s event promises to be a kicking good time. The event and will feature live music by The Packway Handle Band, a bluegrass quintet out of Athens. All proceeds from “Blackwater•Bluegrass” will benefit Ogeechee-Canoochee and Satilla riverkeepers.

Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper (ORCK) was formed in 2005. Its mission is to protect the Ogeechee, Canoochee and coastal rivers and ensure clean water throughout the watershed. By raising awareness and aggressively responding to critical issues with the commitment and support of a dedicated network, OCRK is a voice for rivers, coast and people.

Further south, Satilla Riverkeeper works toward its vision of a blackwater river that supports healthy fisheries, safe swimming, diverse wildlife populations, superb recreational opportunities, a stable water supply, and sustainable human economic activity throughout the basin. The Riverkeeper organization conducts efforts to educate, inform, enforce, research, and litigate on issues in the Satilla River basin to meet these goals.

In celebration of the rivers themselves - and in support of those who work tirelessly to protect them - RiversRock! invites “Blackwater•Bluegrass” guests to a night of live bluegrass, a signature Moon River brew and environmentally-friendly goody bags chock full of local favorites.

All attendees will receive the RiversRock! Environmental Stimulus Package, including:

• Two drink tickets - featuring a Moon River signature beer
• Heavy hors d’oeuvres - catered by Moon River Brewing Company
• Live Bluegrass Music - by the Packway Handle Band, an alt bluegrass trio from Athens
• Eco-Friendly Goody Bags – including koozies, composting buckets, coupons and much more
• One Year Membership - to the Ogeechee-Canoochee & Satilla Riverkeepers
• $5 Bucket Raffle – enter for a chance to win kayaks, Patagonia apparel and an iPod…to name a few
• Silent Auction Items – including a custom bicycle, local photography and a kayak adventure tour

“Blackwater•Bluegrass” boasts a long list of hosts dedicated to throwing the best benefit of the season… a good time for a great cause. (Visit www.riversrock.org, or see below, for a full list of participating sponsors, co-chairs, steering committee and hosts.)

Information is available online at www.riversrock.org for those businesses or individuals interested in making a donation to the event. Sponsorship packages and information on sponsorship levels are also available.

Tickets are $35 per person, 6 tickets for $180, 10 tickets for $275, or more than 11 tickets (sold in packs of ten) for $25 each. Tickets are now available online at www.riversrock.org.

Co-Chairs
Candice Connell, Summer Teal Simpson, Kelly Weber, Ashleigh Womack

Host Committee
Beth Blalock, Ashley Bowersox, Donessa Cockman, Sam Carroll, Laura Garcia-Culler, Kim Fritz, Hartford Gongaware, Brett Goodwin, Walter Hagan, Gunner Hall, Will Hanley, Ann & Andrew Hartzell, Lori Hinebaugh, Blair & Jeff Hoover, Carter & Margaret Hubbard, Lane Huerta, Tommy Linstroth, Kayne Lanahan, Susan Laney, Jim Johnston, Jean Stacy & Chris Tolleson, Drew Wade, Heather Williams

Those of you in the job market like I am can probably relate to the job search process being a tedious, irksome, and slow-moving one. Over the past couple of months, I feel I’m becoming more and more proficient with the endeavor, and have noticed some differences from my first experience in Savannah’s job market in 2006. Back then I used the traditional methods of job hunting by rifling through e-classifieds and uploading my resume on several humongous job sites like Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. It is extremely drudging and repetitious after a while.

Locally-powered job sites like TCCa’s excellent job board make things much easier by providing locally verified and industry-specific results (Fitz tells me they’ve confirmed the successful placement of over 150 local jobs over the last year), but social media’s powerful presence in society has put a new twist on the job hunt, adding spirit, character and an element of knowledge-share to the process.

More and more experts, like my favorite entrepreneur and marketing master, Guy Kawaski, are touting social networking sites like Linked In, Facebook, Ning, and Bebo as essential tools in the job market for both candidates and employers. I’ve found such platforms to be an excellent resource to profile my capabilities, discover potential employers, and network with colleagues. But not only has the method of the job search changed, the methods of recruiting and hiring has changed as well.

In a year of layoffs and stagnation (56 mass-layoff events in May compared to 32 in May 2008, as reported by the Savannah Morning News at the end of June), top employers, if hiring at all, are looking at new and different ways to recruit qualified candidates. An example of one I ran across in our own backyard is BFG’s recent search for an Assistant Content Manager. To develop the best candidate pool for the job, the award-winning event marketing and promotions agency centered their application process around the unconventional means of using Twitter for submissions. I thought this was ridiculously cool and added a interactive peice to the traditional job application process that tends to be characterless and bland.

“What makes this gig stand out is that we are seeking a social media savvy type VIA social media ala Twitter. It is a very non-traditional type gig that requires the wearing of many hats, so we are seeking people using non-traditional means to see if they can navigate this new world,” says BFG’s Content Manager, Rob Oldham.

It makes perfect sense though. I can appreciate an application process that gives candidates the opportunity to audition their skills in the forum they’ll be required to work in. A resume coupled with an interview can only demonstrate ones capabilities but so much. Plus, this method ensures the best candidate is hired for the position. Recruiting this way is such a viable alternative in today’s competitive job market. Great idea BFG! This city is filled with talented, creative individuals, so it will be exciting to see what local social media experts come up with. Here are a couple I enjoyed:

- Hal Thomas (http://blog.bfgcom.com/?p=1887)
- Nicole Galletta (http://twitter.com/nicolegalletta/status/3760951701)

I thought scoring a marketing gig with The Creative Coast Alliance by attending one of the first c-spots was unorthodox, but this takes the cake. If you are a social media guru, you should definitely join in on the fun as well. I plan to, though I wouldn’t consider myself a twitter “expert”. Hey, would that be a “twerp” according to the twictionary?

An article in last month’s Details Magazine is evidence that truth IS stranger than fiction: according to a recent survey, 84% of young Germans would prefer to lose their current partner or automobile over their internet connection or mobile phone.

Bitkom, a German internet service provider interviewed 1,000 people between the age of 19 and 29, assessing their dependability on their internet and mobile phone as compared to love and car ownership. The outcome was shocking (Volkswagons ain’t that great I guess). In the same survey, 97% of interviewees said that it would be unthinkable to live without their mobile phone, so unthinkable that they’d rather kick their lover to the curb. Now, I can kinda understand that if this is an iPhone we’re talking about (there’s probably a boyfriend app anyway), but just a plain ol’ mobile phone? WHAT? Internet/phone better than sex/love?

In this day and age the phone and internet are the lifeblood of business, commerce and communication. But to think that people would willingly give up partnership and copulation (isn’t THAT as old as humankind?) for their internet connection. Makes me wonder how all this new technology is affecting reproductive rates.

So, tell me people, how good IS your internet/mobile phone? That good, huh?!

As most of you may recall, last year’s event was quite the spectacle, bringing both torrential rain and 500 of Savannah’s movers and shakers in a grand event that quite literally brought the house down at the Historic Roundhouse.  As Forrest Lott, principal of Lott + Barber put it, “We can’t wait to see how this year’s Innovation Awards turns out. We’re still talking about last year - the record crowds, the epic showing of Savannah’s creative businesses, and of course the TCCa Typhoon of 2008. Here’s hoping this year is at least half the party.”  Indeed!

Yes, the 2008 event was seriously soaked as a storm of biblical proportions blew in and out in less than 24 hours. You all came anyway (to our great surprise and delight), demonstrating just how important a cause this is to many. We think we have all earned a starry sky this year, but just in case, we are prepared. (Seriously, we are.)

This year, we’re switching it up again. On Thursday, October 22, we will be “taking it to the street” -
Broughton Street, to be exact - blocking off the street in front of SCAD’s Trustees Theater for cocktails, conversation and hors d’oeuvres. The awards presentation will follow inside the Theater promptly at 8pm and is sure to be another great showing of the best and brightest Savannah has to offer.

And, in an effort to lower the barrier for entrepreneurs and small business owners, TCCa and Lott + Barber are providing our own little “stimulus package” and have lowered the ticket price from last year by 1/3rd to $50 per person, if purchased before October 1st. ($60 if purchased afterward.)  Oh, but there is more: This year, we’re giving away a “golden ticket” (or two, rather).  That’s right 2 free tix up are up for grabs! For your chance to win 2 FREE tickets to this year’s event, visit innovation.thecreativecoast.org/goldenticket and enter the code “innov8″.

Of course, none of this can happen without support, and we have an impressive group of community-minded “award” sponsors already secured. Georgia Power has signed on to sponsor the Big Business Award, The Small Business Assistance Corporation is sponsoring the Small Business Award, and The Education, Non-Profit and Government Award will be presented by AT&T. (Sponsorship for the Sustainability Award is still available, as are a few Green Level sponsorships. Holla!)

Our panel of judges this year, drawn from the ranks of business and community leaders from Savannah and across the state and region are as follows:

Small Business – Lynn Vos & Gordon Matthews

Lynn Vos has more than 16 years experience assisting small businesses in Georgia. She has served as area director of the Savannah office of the Georgia Small Business Development Center Network for the past 13 years, providing consulting services to existing and potential small business owners. Vos is a recipient of the Helen V. Head Small Business Advocate of the Year award presented by the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized nationally by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.

Gordon Matthews provides advisory services to early stage businesses and is a district governor for Rotary International. He has served as vice president and chief financial officer for Chatham Steel Corporation, a manager at Accenture: Arthur Andersen & Co. and an officer with the U.S. Army.

Business – Craig Lesser & Bill Cathcart

Craig Lesser is a former commissioner of economic development for the State of Georgia, where he was the chief marketing officer responsible for investment, trade and tourism. In this role, he led efforts to recruit new business to Georgia from around the nation and internationally, and his responsibilities included oversight of the state’s small business and entrepreneur programs, efforts to grow existing business as well as marketing Georgia as an ideal destination for filmmakers, the music industry, multi-media companies and tourists. During his tenure, there were almost 500 new investment and expansion announcements, totaling $8 billion and creating more than 40,000 new jobs. Lesser also served as the managing director and head of international public affairs for McKenna Long & Aldridge law firm, expanding the firm’s presence abroad and interfacing with international businesses operating in the United States.

Bill Cathcart has been with WTOC-TV for 24 years, serving as the station’s vice president and general manager for the last 19 years. He has volunteered with the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade – he is a past chairman of the board, a continuing board member and the current chair of the Military Affairs Council. He is the chairman of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum Board of Trustees and serves on the boards of Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation, the USO/Savannah and Savannah Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Education, Community & Government – State Rep. Ron Stephens & Rev. Micheal Elliott

State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) represents the 164th District in the Georgia House of Representatives and has been a member of the House for 11 years. He is the chairman of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee and is a member of the Appropriations, Rules, and Ways and Means committees, serving on the Appropriations Committee for eight years. He is the co-author of the first floating homestead exemption in Georgia, now applying in more than 50 taxing districts in the state, which effectively freezes property taxes for the homeowner. It is known as the STEPHENS-DAY Bill HB 350. Before being elected to the House, Rep. Stephens earned a seat as a city councilman in Garden City. He has received numerous awards for his service from various industries and associations.

Rev. Micheal Elliott is the president & CEO of Union Mission, Inc., which exists to end and prevent homelessness in the greater Savannah area. Under his leadership, Union Mission has grown from one facility in 1987 to nine, providing housing and assistance to over 600 people every day; the annual operations budget grew from $40,000 to over $8 million. Previously, Rev. Elliot served as the executive director of the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville, KY and as the pastor/director of the Jefferson Street Baptist Chapel, also in Louisville. He has published eight books, one of which was recognized as paperback of the year by the Mid-America Book Achievement Awards. He is the recipient of the Community Heath Leadership Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He was also selected as a community hero to carry the Olympic Torch for the 1996 Olympics.

Sustainability – Scott Boylston & Leesa Carter

Scott Boylston is a professor of graphic design and sustainable design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and coauthor of the college’s master of fine arts degree in sustainable design. He speaks internationally on issues of design, ethics and sustainability, and continues to design and consult, primarily for non-profit organizations. Before moving to Savannah, Boylston was an art director in a New York City design firm where he developed package designs for cosmetic companies such as Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder, and Yves Saint Laurent. During this time, he also ran an environmentally-focused surf wear business. He is a 2008 graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, a member of the Chatham Environmental Forum and is on the branch leadership of the Savannah chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. He is the author of three books, including the most recent on designing sustainable packaging.

Leesa Carter is the executive director of the Georgia chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Previously, she was the director of consumer education at Renew Life Formulas Inc., a $20 million natural & organic product company. Her other experience includes serving as the national director of field marketing for Wild Oats Markets Inc., a $1 billion natural & organic retailer. She has been a featured speaker at Natural & Organic Food Trade Association conferences.

And finally, The Finalists. Who are the finalists?  Tell us the finalists, you cry!  Soon, very soon.  The judges have turned in their scores and we will be crunching the numbers the rest of this week. Look for an announcement by the beginning of next week.  We’ve got some good ones again this year.

GET YOUR TIX: Tickets are on sale now at innovation.thecreativecoast.org/tickets. Proceeds will be reinvested in ways the TCCa Advisory Board determines match our mission and vision. Last year’s proceeds supported the Savannah Science Seminar, the Savannah-Ogeechee River Science and Engineering Fair, Savannah’s Engineering Academy and middle and high school robotics competitions.